Medical therapy arrangement for applying an electrical stimulation to a human or animal subject

ABSTRACT

A medical therapy arrangement, for applying electrical stimulation to a subject, includes a garment having electrodes at an inner surface. A control unit controls each electrode to work as one or more of anode, cathode or disconnected state, per a predetermined therapy stimulation program. Furthermore, the arrangement includes: at least one connection unit having a predetermined number of connection elements respectively electrically connected to the electrodes via separate connection lines being flexible and elastic and integrated into the garment; at least one connection board having a predetermined number of connection pads electrically connected to the control unit. The connection unit is an integrated part of the garment, with the connection board detachably attachable to the connection unit by a fastening element, such that the connection unit and the connection board, when interconnected, are positioned relative to each other in order to electrically connect the connection pads to mating connection elements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a medical therapy arrangement according to the preamble of the independent claim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to muscle relaxation, and more particular to muscle relaxation for spastic muscles in patients having injuries to the central nervous system (CNS) at least by using muscle stimulation.

Injuries to the central nervous system (CNS) are difficult to treat and cure. Spastic paresis, which is a pathologically increased muscle tonus caused by an injury to the central nervous system (CNS) is a significant obstacle for prevention of posturing and loss of mobility.

Today, therapeutic alternatives for the reversal of CNS injury symptoms, such as spasticity, are very limited. Therapies are constructed to prevent further loss of function, rather than alleviating the symptoms. No treatment has been found to truly give back function and, in the long run, reversing the injury through muscle relaxation of spastic muscles.

In addition to the spasms themselves, musculoskeletal pain is a common related complaint. Pain originating from dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system is in most cases caused by muscle spasms due to muscular imbalance. If the pain is not treated properly, patients risk developing chronic pain syndromes, conditions that are difficult to cure.

There are several techniques available to affect muscles in the human body. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation or electromyostimulation is a commonly known method for increasing muscle mass in specific areas, by providing an electric current into the muscle causing contraction, which gradually leads to increased mass in the treated muscle.

Trancutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is closely related to EMS, but instead of stimulating muscles to contract, electric stimulation is used to indirectly treat pain, by distracting the brain through the stimulation of other body parts. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,572, a garment for electrical monitoring of sites or electrical stimulation, such as EMS is disclosed.

However, none of the currently known muscle stimulation techniques is suited to provide for targeted muscle relaxation. Hence, a new arrangement including a garment allowing for increased muscle relaxation would be advantageous.

In general, the parameters of the EMS current signal may be chosen which resemble the physiology of the body. The signals in the nervous system may be compared to current impulses (stimuli) to the synapses. When a certain amount of stimuli has occurred, signal substances are excreted.

Generally, a phasic EMS-stimulus is given with a frequency ranging between 2 and 50 Hz, and having a duration between 5 to 300 microseconds.

Muscle relaxation in spastic muscles gives the possibility to induce controlled functional muscle contraction in chosen relaxed muscles. The frequency needed to induce muscle contraction is higher than the frequency used for optimal antagonist muscle relaxation (20 Hz/30 μs). Stimulation frequencies for functional muscle contraction are ranging from 25 to 50 Hz and the duration needed is between 50-300 μs.

The pulsed EMS current signal is controlled by at least the following parameters; pulse frequency, pulse duration, pulse strength.

Experiments have shown that muscles start to contract at a pulse frequency of approximately 15 Hz to approximately 35 Hz, at which frequency range the central nervous system feels the presence of the current signal. The present inventor has realized that by choosing a frequency as low as possible, but still detectable by the central nervous system, the discomfort for the patient is reduced, while the automatic relaxation of the spastic antagonist muscle is taken care of by the central nervous system. A higher frequency than approximately 35 Hz would lead to shortening of the stimulated agonist muscle and therefore activation of the stretch reflex in the antagonist muscle which is not desired, since this would lead to a reciprocal spasm of the agonist muscle.

The pulse duration of the current signal is selected such that it resembles the pulse duration of nervous signals. For example, a pulse duration of approximately 5 to 60 microseconds, such as 30 μs, has been found to be suitable. However, even shorter pulse duration could be advantageous. Too long pulse duration of the EMS current signal does not correspond to the neurophysiologic parameters of the body.

Furthermore, longer pulse duration may also increase the risk of muscle shortage, which is not desired.

Since the spastic muscle behavior in CNS injured patients differs greatly, the professional skills of a neuromuscular system specialist is required for calibrating the system before use, such that the correct agonist muscles are provided with EMS electrodes and joints corresponding thereto are provided with vibrator devices. Every chosen muscle stimulation is paired with an anatomically relevant joint stimulation in order to strengthen the desired relaxation effect. Furthermore, the parameters of the pulsed EMS current signal need to be selected, which parameters may differ between patients.

The above-described stimulation and calibration techniques are further disclosed in WO-2011/067327, which relates to a system and garment for muscle relaxation of a spastic muscle, and is assigned to the applicant of the present application. In particular the system is adapted to cause muscle relaxation by reducing muscular spasticity through stimulation of joints and muscles. The system consists of a garment with electrodes, a hardware unit and software controlling the stimulation.

WO-03/006106 relates to a method and apparatus for electrical stimulation to selected tissues via an array of electrodes positioned on and/or in the body. Each electrode may be connected either as anode, cathode or neither to provide discrimination between stimulated and non-stimulated regions of tissues of the body.

WO-2011/079866 relates to an apparatus for external activation of paralyzed body parts by stimulation of peripheral nerves.

US-2011/0152968 relates to an orthosis for a gait modulation system, and finally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,072,721, that relates to an electrode vest for electrical stimulation of the abdomen and back

Today, when performing external electrical stimulation therapy, it is common to use electrode patches provided with an adhesive for attaching the electrodes to the patient's skin. These electrode patches are disposable, and it is often very time-consuming to attach the electrodes and to connect the electrical cables to each of the electrode patches.

The object of the present invention is to achieve an improved stimulation therapy arrangement, which is more user-friendly and less time-consuming to use, than the presently used adhesive electrodes.

As an electrical stimulation therapy preferably must be applied at least 30 minutes in order to give prolonged effect, one further and important aspect of the stimulation therapy arrangement is that it is comfortable and easy to use for the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned object is achieved by the present invention according to the independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

One great advantage of the arrangement according to the present invention is that it is easy to use. This is, among other things, related to that the control unit that includes the pulse generating circuitry, is easily attached to the garment by some few manual steps by attaching the connection board to a connection unit which is integrated into the garment.

The garment is elastic and is intended to be tightly worn by the patient. The garment is ready for use in a user-friendly way for external electrical stimulation therapy of muscles. Electrodes, e.g. silicone-electrodes, are arranged at the inner surface of the garment, the surface facing the patient's skin and in contact to the patient's skin. The electrical connections connecting the electrodes to connection units are flexible and elastic.

The garment is made from materials chosen such that the garment may be washed in conventional laundry machines.

In particular the garment includes electrical connections adapted to connect the electrodes to one or several connection units, which do not influence the overall flexibility/elasticity of the garment. This is achieved, according to one embodiment, by integrating, e.g. by weaving silver threads into elastic bands or ribbons or into a piece of elastic.

In another embodiment instead an insulated conductor is integrated (e.g. weaved) into a piece of elastic.

The connection units are integrated into the garment, they have e.g. a flat extension, and they are flexible. Preferably, they are made from a rubber material and are provided with a magnetic material. In particular each connection element of the connection unit is provided with a magnet beneath the rubber material and arranged such that a connection pad may be attached at the upper surface and held in place by the magnet. The connection pad is naturally also provided with a magnetic material enabling the attachment.

The connection pads are arranged at a flexible flat board having the magnetic material arranged at predefined positions in order to exactly connect each of the connection pads to a mating connection element of the connection unit. The connection board and the connection unit are held together by the magnetic forces created by the magnetic material at the respective parts.

According to one embodiment both the connection unit(s) at the garment and the connection board(s) are made of a flexible material, which is an important aspect making the garment more comfortable to wear.

According to the invention the control unit is adapted to control connection of each of the electrodes to be in the state of acting as anode, cathode, or being disconnected.

By this arrangement it is e.g. possible to stimulate two muscles by three electrodes if the applied stimulation pulses are separated in time, i.e. one of the electrodes are used for both muscles. Thus, the control unit enables a very flexible control of the application of the stimulation pulses and by using short simulation pulse durations very complex stimulation programs may be used in that many muscles and muscle groups may be covered during the therapy.

The control unit preferably applies a so-called open-loop control, i.e. no feedback is used to control the applied current/voltage. The advantage of not using feedback is that in case an electrode temporarily loses contact to the skin, or the contact area between electrode surface and skin decreases, the current density of the remaining contact surface not should incur pain.

The amount of energy supplied to the patient via the electrodes is much lower than the energy levels used for by devices for pain relief. One risk, or drawback, with such devices is that the applied energy might stimulate the muscle to contract.

The level of the stimulation energy used in connection with the present invention is much lower than used for example in the device described in WO-03/006106.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the medical therapy arrangement according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the connector board and connector unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the medical therapy arrangement according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described with references to the appended drawings.

With references to FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a medical therapy arrangement 2, for applying electrical stimulation to a human or animal subject, comprising a garment 4 adapted to be tightly arranged at said subject, and provided with a plurality of electrodes 6 at the inner surface which are adapted to be in electrical contact to the skin of the subject.

The arrangement further comprises a control unit 8 which is adapted to provide each electrode 6 to work as one or many of anode, cathode or being disconnected, in accordance with a predetermined therapy stimulation program.

At least one connection unit 10 is provided which comprises a predetermined number of connection elements 12 being respectively electrically connected to the electrodes 6 via separate connection lines 14, which are flexible and elastic. And, at least one connection board 16 is provided which comprises a predetermined number of connection pads 18 being electrically connected to the control unit 8.

The connection unit 10 is an integrated part of the garment 4 and preferably arranged such that the connection elements 12 are accessible to establish electrical connections to the connection pads 18 of said connection board 16. In that regard the connection board 16 is detachably attachable to the connection unit 10 by a fastening means 20, such that the connection unit 10 and the connection board 16, when attached to each other, are positioned in relation to each other in order to electrically connect the connection pads 18 to mating connection elements 12.

According to one embodiment the fastening means 20 is adapted to detachably attach the connection board 16 to the connection unit 10 by magnetic forces. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the connector board 16 and the connector unit 10. In the figure it is shown that the magnetic forces are created by magnetic material, in the figure indicated as separate magnets, arranged at predefined positions of the connection board 16 and the connection unit 10, respectively. In the figure the magnets are arranged behind each of the pads 18 and elements 12 in order to secure the electrical connection. As an alternative, the magnets may be arranged e.g. behind every second pad and element or at positions close to the pads and elements.

The positions of the magnets at the connection board 16 and at the connection unit 10 ensure that these are correctly positioned in relation to each other. In order to further improve the positioning, one or many protuberances and mating indentations (not shown in the figure) may be arranged at the connection board and connection unit, respectively.

As an alternative the fastening means 20 comprises mechanical means which is adapted to detachably attach the connection board to the connection unit. These mechanical means may e.g. comprise one or many Velcro straps arranged to provide for the necessary pressure between the connection board and connection unit in order to establish electrical connection between the pads and elements. The mechanical means may also be embodied by some kind of snap connection.

Preferably, the connection unit 10 has an essentially planar extension and is made from a flexible material, e.g. a flexible rubber material.

Also, in accordance with one embodiment, the connection board 16 has an essentially planar extension and is made from a flexible material, e.g. a flexible rubber material.

However, it is advantageous that, in particular the connection unit 10, is made from a flexible material, in order to make the garment comfortable to wear, but it is also possible, within the scope of the present invention, that the connection board 16 and/or the connection unit 10 is made from a rigid material. According to one embodiment the connection unit is made from a flexible material but the connection board is made from a more rigid material, e.g. from a suitable plastic material.

The connection board 16 and the connection unit 10 have essentially the same size. In one exemplary embodiment the shape is approximately rectangular having a length in the interval of 8-12 cm, a width of 1.5-3 cm and a thickness of 0.25-1.5 cm.

Naturally, other sizes and shapes are possible, e.g. circular and elliptical, within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The connection lines 14, that connect each electrode 6 to a respective connection element 12, are flexible and elastic such the wearer of the garment may move unimpededly.

According to one embodiment the connection line 14 is included into a piece of elastic into which an electrical conductor is integrated. This is achieved e.g. by weaving conducting threads, e.g. made from silver, into the piece of elastic.

As an alternative the connection line 14 is an insulated conductor being directly integrated, e.g. by weaving, into the material of the garment.

The control unit 8 is preferably a separate unit in relation to the connection board 16, and that the connection pads 18 are connected to the control unit 8 via an electrical cable 22. According to one embodiment the control unit 8 comprises a stimulation pulse generator, an energy source, a storage means, an input/output unit and a coupling unit. The energy source, typically being a battery, e.g. a rechargeable battery, is adapted to energize the circuitry of the control unit, e.g. the stimulation pulse generator. The predetermined therapy stimulation program is stored in the storage means and specific instructions related to the specific patient to be treated is input by the physician via the interface. The input/output unit may include one or many buttons and a display, e.g. a touchscreen. The control unit is preferably attached to the garment wearer by some kind of strap in a position where it is easily accessed but not prevents movements.

In accordance with another embodiment the control unit instead is an integral part of the connection board, and then the connecting electrical cable is obviated.

The control unit is preferably adapted to apply an open-loop control when controlling the application of stimulation pulses. I.e. no feed-back is used which is advantageous in order to avoid that higher stimulation current is applied in the situation where an electrode loses, or has less, contact to the skin.

The garment is preferably made from a predetermined number of interconnectable parts. The reason is that the garment then is easier to put on. Each part is then provided with a connection unit that in turn is connected to the electrodes.

For some patients only a part of the body has to be subjected to stimulation, e.g. an arm or a leg. In that case a garment is used that is adapted to enclose that part. And, for other patients, the entire body has to be enclosed by the garment in order to gain full effect of the therapy.

An overall requirement of the garment is that it may be tightly arranged at the body to secure that the electrodes are in contact to the skin of the patient. The garment must be able to be washed in a normal laundry machine. Preferably the garment comprises a synthetic fiber made from a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer, e.g. spandex or elastene. According to an embodiment, the garment comprises five major textile and support materials. Elastic spandex for areas covering muscles and, embedded in this spandex, muscle electrodes for skin contact; firm elastic spandex textile in joint areas to induce joint stability and specific skin contact of embedded muscle and vibration (if included) electrodes; and Velcro to interlock the garment parts and also induce joint stability and electrode skin contact. Zippers are placed in the different garment parts to enable simple dressing and use of the garment. Padding and other supportive materials are placed between the textile layers to enhance stability and electrode skin contact.

In order to provide for a perfect garment fit for each patient, each garment may be tailor made for each patient. Hence, each patient may be individually measured. Based on the calibration made by the specialist, the therapist chooses which muscles to stimulate and therefore induce muscle relaxation of corresponding spastic muscles. The tailor made garment is produced and the control unit is programmed with the necessary parameters such as to perform a vibrator (if included) and EMS stimulation in the prescribed manner.

The electrodes are arranged at the inner surface of the garment and must therefore be flexible to adapt to the skin surface. According to one embodiment the electrodes are silicone-electrodes. The number of electrodes is naturally dependent upon the therapy to be applied, but preferably at least ten electrodes are included, often much more.

According to another embodiment the control unit comprises a sensing unit adapted to receive electrical signals, e.g. EMG-signals, sensed by one or many of said electrodes. The received signals may then be analyzed and used to improve the therapy. According to one aspect the sensed electrical signals are used to decide which therapy to be used and then apply that therapy in accordance with an open-loop controlled stimulation therapy.

According to another aspect, it would also be possible to apply the arrangement in a closed-loop controlled simulation therapy where the applied stimulation energy is adapted in dependence of sensed electrical signals.

In a further embodiment the arrangement also provides for combined electrical and vibration therapy. This embodiment is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3. The same references used in FIGS. 1 and 2 apply here as well. To use a combined electrical and vibration therapy has proven an advantageous therapy and in accordance to this embodiment a plurality of vibration units 7 are arranged at the garment, e.g. at the inner surface of the garment, and wherein each vibration unit being connected to the connection unit via a flexible and elastic vibration unit connection line 15. The vibration units may also be arranged at the outer surface of the garment and apply the vibrations through the garment material.

Different types of vibration units may be used, e.g. based upon piezo-technology, a so-called DC-motor, or a solenoid based unit.

Preferably the relation between the number of electrical stimulation electrodes and vibration units is 2:1. However, even fewer vibration units may be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A medical therapy arrangement, for applying electrical stimulation to relax spastic muscles of a human or animal subject, comprising: a garment adapted to be tightly arranged around a body or body part of said subject, and provided with a plurality of muscle electrodes at an inner surface of the garment covering muscles of the subject and which are adapted to be in electrical contact to the skin of the subject to stimulate the muscles; a control unit adapted to provide each muscle electrode to work as one or many of anode, cathode or being disconnected, in accordance with a predetermined therapy stimulation program, the control unit being configured to apply, as electrical stimulation to relax muscles of the subject, an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) having a frequency ranging between 2 and 50 Hz, and a duration between 5 and 300 microseconds, to the human or animal subject via said muscle electrodes; at least one connection unit having an essentially planar extension, the at least one connection unit being made from a flexible material and being provided with a predetermined number of connection elements being respectively electrically connected to said muscle electrodes via separate connection lines being flexible and elastic and being integrated into the garment; at least one connection board having an essentially planar extension, the at least one connection board being made from a flexible material and being provided with a predetermined number of connection pads being electrically connected to the control unit, wherein said connection unit is an integrated part of said garment; and a fastener, wherein said connection board is detachably attachable to said connection unit by the fastener, such that said connection unit and said connection board, when attached to each other, are positioned in relation to each other in order to electrically connect the connection pads to mate with the connection elements.
 2. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said fastener is adapted to detachably attach said connection board to said connection unit by magnetic forces.
 3. The medical arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said magnetic forces are created by magnetic material arranged at predefined positions of the connection board and the connection unit, respectively.
 4. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises mechanical means for detachably attaching said connection board to said connection unit.
 5. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each connection line is included into a piece of elastic into which an electrical conductor is integrated.
 6. The medical arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said conductor is integrated by weaving conducting threads into said piece of elastic.
 7. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each connection line is an insulated conductor being directly integrated into a material of the garment or into a piece of elastic.
 8. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is a separate unit in relation to said connection board.
 9. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is an integral part of said connection board.
 10. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said garment comprises a synthetic fiber made from a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer.
 11. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said muscle electrodes are silicone rubber electrodes.
 12. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises at least one of a stimulation pulse generator, an energy source, a storage means, an input/output unit, and a coupling unit.
 13. The medical arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said control unit comprises a sensing unit adapted to receive electrical signals sensed by at least one of said muscle electrodes.
 14. The medical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said arrangement comprises a plurality of vibration units arranged at said garment, and wherein each vibration unit is connected to said connection unit via a flexible and elastic vibration unit connection line. 